Can



Y Feb. 25, 1969 A. P. scHoLTz 3,429,475

CAN

Filed July 18, 1960 Sheet of INVENTOR Arthur P. Scholiz BY l' Feb. 25,1969 A. P. scHoLTz CAN Sheet of Filed July 18. 1960 /I4 (severedHlfll'l'l Fig. 3.

INVENTORJ Arthur P. Scholiz Fig. 4.

Feb. 25, 1969 A. P. SCHOLTZ CAN Sheet Filed July 18, 1960 INVENTOR.

Arthur -P. Scholz BY Feb. 25, 1969 A. P. SCHOLTZ Sheet CAN Filed July18, 1960 l 4 b 76D Fiq.6.

INVENTOR. Arthur P. Scholi'z BY l Feb. 25, 1969 A P SCHOLTZ 3,429,475

CAN

Filed July 18. 1960 Sheet 5 of INVENTOR Arthur P. Scholiz BY i@ UnitedStates Patent Office 3,429,475 Patented Feb. 25, 1969 9 33 Claims Int.Cl. B65d 5]/18, 11/06, 21/02 This invention relates to a new andimproved can with inner replaceable closure. More particularly, theinvention relates to a can having a conventional end which is removed inthe usual manner to provide access to a replaceable cap-type closure, orthe like, which may be removed and replaced at will.

Accordingly, the principal object of the present invention is to providea can having an end closed in a conventional manner, but which differsfrom such conventional can construction in that after the end has beenremoved, a replaceable closure is provided which may be used to resealthe contents as required.

One of the features of the present invention is the provision of acollar located immediately inside the can end so constructed that whenthe can end is applied and seamed onto the body the collar is secured inplace. The collar has an inwardly directed portion which terminates in acurl, `bead or hem of a diameter substantially less than the insidediameter of the can body. The curl, bead or hem preferably projectsupwardly and outwardly. A flexible plastic cap, or the like, snaps overthe curl, bead or hem and thus is removably positioned to protect thecontents of the can from the atmosphere.

A further feature of the invention is the formation of an integrallifting knob on the cap. The construction of the cap, and particularlythe knob and flexible nature of the cap facilitates removal andreplacement of the cap.

The knob may project upwardly from a depression in the center of the capto enhance the natural flexibility of the plastic material of which thecap is constructed so that it snaps on to the bead of the collar and may-be removed therefrom, but suihcient tension is imparted to the cap sothat the contents are sealed by the cap gripping the bead of the collar.

Still another feature of the invention is the provision of an upwardlyprojecting dome in the center of the upper top of each other with thebeads of the top and bottom cans resting on each other, but the nestingof the projections and depressions of the upper and lower ends of thecans preventing the stack from shifting or tipping.

Still another feature of the invention is the provision of a spacebetween the reclosure cap and the can end, which space may be used for`advertising circulars or premiums, directions for use of the contentsof the can, or other purposes. A small package of additive such as acoloring material or avor may be placed in the space between the cap andthe end to be added to the contents of the can by the consumer asdesired. tainer so constructed that, when the can end is cut by aconventional can opener, upward pressure is exerted on the severed endso that it does not fall into the container nor is it necessary to prythe end out of the container to obtain access to the interior.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a lifting knob onthe replaceable inner closure so constructed that it is easily grippedby the fingers of the user and yet is shaped so that the closure may bemolded of plastic without requiring the use of `a split cavity mold.

An alternative feature of the invention 1s the provision of nibs orother means on the reclosure cap so constructed that communication ismaintained between the interior of the can and the headspace between thecap and the upper can end. Thus when the can is evacuated (as in vacuumpacking of products such as coffee), drawing a vacuum in the cansimultaneously creates a vacuum in the headspace.

Heretozfore various types of reclosure cans have been developed. In manyof such constructions the cylindrical wall of the can is opened, as vbymeans of a tear strip opened with a key, and cooperating means providedon the can body and the portion of the body originally above the tearstrip and/or the can end itself for reclosure. Such constructions havethe disadvantages inherent in key opening cans-such `as high cost ofmanufacture and inconvenience to the consumer in opening the can. Theyhave additional disadvantages in that sealing on reclosure is eitherineffective or difficult from an operational standpoint.

In other prior constructions the top of the cylindrical body wall isdeformed, as by the rolling of deep beads and the can end likewisedeformed by stamping or drawing deep depressions which tit inside andseal against the bead. Thus when the end is cut by :a can openerreclosure may be accomplished by pressing the end downwardly until thedepression seats against the bead. Such constructions raise seriousmanufacturing obstacles. Further, because of lack of rigidity of theend, repeated reclosure of the end is not feasible. Another disadvantageof such constructions resides in the fact that the inside diameter ofthe bead must necessarily be almost as great as the can body diameter,which does not leave much room for the user to pry the end out of thebead and hence further contributes to the inconvenience of use.Additionally, the exposure of the raw edge of the severed end is ahazard to the fingers of the user.

Other prior art constructions employ snap-on or friction outer ends,which prevent hermetic sealing of the can and make sterillzation of thecontents after sealing impossible.

A still further prior `construction employs a ring held in the doubleseam between the end and body and having a central perforation oraperture in which fits a friction plug-type reclosure cap. Removal ofsuch caps requires use of a prying instrument of some type and isgenerally time and effort consuming. Further, if a tight seal is to -beaccomplished, considerable force is required to push the cap into theaperture which necessitates a rugged construction and increases the`cost of materials and manufacture. The effectiveness of making anair-tight reclosure seal is also less in this type construction than inthat here inafter described.

Accordingly, the present invention affords important advantages overpn'o-r reclosure can constructions without material increase in the costof construction thereof.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon readingthe following specification, and referring to the accompanying drawingsin which similar characters of reference represent corresponding partsin each of the several views.

can showing the nesting feature of theican construction.

FIGS. 5 to 8, inclusive, are fragmentary vertical sectional views ofmodifications of the invention showing the upper end of one can and thelower end of a super imposed can nested therewith.

FIG. 9 is a modified view showing a preliminary stage in the manufactureof the lift knob of the reclosure cap of FIGS. 5 to 8.

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary view of a pull knob at a preliminary stage ofits production.

The present invention is adapted for use with a standard can, such as asanitary can, although it may be adapted for use with other canconstructions, such as paint cans and other general line cans. Aconventional can has a body 11 which is customarily cylindrical in shapeand seamed and soldered together in a side seam (not shown). Outwardlydirected flanges 12, 13 are formed on the top and bottom of the body. Inconventional sanitary can construction, the upper and lower ends 14, 15of the can are disks of sheet metal each having a trough 16 formed atthe outer periphery and containing sealing compound (not shown).Inwardly of the trough 16 is a vertical wall 17, which fits relativelysnugly inside the end of the can body 11. In the construction of thepresent can, the diameter of the wall 17 of the end 14 is slightly lessthan conventional construction in order to provide space for the collarhereinafter described. The shape of the upper can end 14 may bedifferent from conventional construction, in that an upwardly projectingdome 18 is provided, the dome affording space for the upwardlyprojecting knob of the reclosure cap, as hereinafter described. Thevertical wall 19 or flank of dome 18 is so dimensioned as to nest withthe bottom end 15 of a superimposed end, also as hereinafter described.

Referring to the form of end 14a shown in FIG. 9, the radius 171 at thebottom of wall 17a is somewhat greater than in conventional can ends. Araised annular bead 172 is provided inward of radius 171. Large radius171 and bead 172 tend to spring the severed end 14a upward when it iscut by a can opener and prevent the end from dropping into thecontainer. Bead 172 further tends to reduce wrinkling of the end as itis cut.

By means forming no part of the present invention, and well understoodin the can manufacturing art, a closing machine is employed to form adouble seam sealing the can end to the can body resulting in aconventional end bead 21. Such a conventional closing machine isemployed to close the can of the present invention, and a feature of thepresent invention is the fact that no alteration of such machine isrequired, other than shaping the chuck to fit the can end. It will benoted that the elevation of dome 18 is greater than that of the bead 21on the outer periphery of the can in the assembled position, as shown inFIG. 2.

The bottom end 15 is likewise conventional in construction, except thatspaced inwardly of the trough 16 the end had a downwardly-inwardlyslanted portion so that the elevation of the ring 22 is below that ofthe bead 21 in the assembled position of the can. Inwardly of the ring22, a recess 23 is formed having a wall 24 with a diameter slightlygreater than the diameter of the flank 19 of dome 18. Thus, as bestshown in FIG. 4, the bottom bead 21 of the superimposed upper can 10rests upon the top bead 21 of the lower can 10, and the dome 18 on thelower can tits into the recess 23 in the bottom end of the superimposedcan. This nesting facilitates stacking the cansA on end, a feature whichis particularly important in displays and in storage.

An important distinguishing feature of the form of the present inventionshown in FIGS. l to 4 is the provision of a collar 26 inside the upperend of the can and secured thereto. The collar 26 has a vertical sidewall 27, having a diameter to flt inside the can body 11 with a frictionfit. The depth of the side wall 27 is sufficient so that the collar isnot severed when the upper can end 14 is removed by a conventional canopener. The upper end of the side wall 27 is formed with an outwardlydirected flange 28,

' which is similar in shape but shorter than the flange 12 on the upperend of the can body. Thus the flange 28 rests on top of flange 12 andprevents the collar 26 from being pushed downwardly into the can body.When the end is double-seamed onto the body 11, collar 26 is permanentlysecured to body 11. In the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 1-4, thebottom edge of the side wall 27 merges into an upwardly-inwardlydirected breast 29, which terminates in an upwardly directedshort-cylindrical neck 31, having an outwardly turned terminal curl 32.The inside diameter of neck 31 is preferably such as to provideconvenient access to the contents of the can body. It will be noted thatthe outwardly turned curl 32 prevents injury to the fingers of the userwhen reaching inside the collar. Instead of an annular collar 26, othershapes may be used since a noncylindrical can body may be employed and,further, the opening in the collar may be non-circular. A bead or a hemmay be substituted for curl 32 and in this specification and theappended claims the term bead is used to include both a bead, a curl anda hem. The bead may be inwardly, rather than outwardly, turned. Theshape of collar 26 is subject to other modifications in that it mayslant downwardly instead of upwardly.

The collar 26 receives a reclosure cap 36 which, in the preferredembodiment of the invention, is preferably formed of a relativelyflexible inexpensive plastic material such as high impact polystyrene.Reclosure cap 36 fits over neck 31 and may be constructed to seal thecontents of the can both before and after the can end 14 has beenremoved. For such purpose the side wall 37 of cap 36 may have a diameterslightly more than the inside diameter of neck 31 and a peripheraloutwardly directed horizontal flange 38 terminating in a downwardlydirected vertical flange 39 fitting around the outside of bead 32. Thusthe cap 36 seals on neck 31 on the contact surfaces of wall 37 and neck31, horizontal flange 38 and bead 32 or vertical flanges 39 and bead 32,or any combination of these zones.

Referring to other modifications of the cap hereinafter described indetail, it will be seen that nibs may be formed on the surfaces ofelements 37, 38 or 39 which contact -curl 32 for the purpose of easierremoval and reclosure of the cap. Also, such nibs or other means mayfunction as vents so that air may be evacuated from the headspacebetween cap 36 and end 14 when the can body is evacuated in packing suchproducts as coffee under vacuum. (See particularly FIGS. 6 and 8).

In the form shown in FIGS. l-4 at the bottom edge of Wall 37 the cap isformed with a short, annular upwardlyinwardly slanted surface 41, whichmerges into a downwardly-inwardly slanted surface 42. The angle betweensurfaces 41 and 42 provides circumferential rigidity of the cap and alsoprovides a spring action tending to lift upper end 14 after it has beenopened. Centrally of surface 42 is a lift knob 43 having anoutwardly-upwardly slanted side 44 merging into a horizontal top 46. Itwill be understood that handle 43 might be flat or even recessed. Wherea nonprojecting knob 43 is used, then end 14 may be made without dome 18and end 15 without recess 23. The cap 36 is preferably unitary andflexible, the .shape of the cap combining with the flexibility of theplastic material to facilitate snapping the cap onto the collar andremoving the same with facility. Where desired, the cap may be made toengage the bead 32 tightly so as to seal the contents from theatmosphere when the cap is in place.

Cap 36 as heretofore described and shown in FIGS. 1-4 specifically, theslanted side 44 of knob 43 is best produced by means of a split cavitymold. To avoid using a split cavity mold, a form of knob as indicated byreference numerals 43a-43d of FIGS. 5-8 may be used. As originallymolded, the knob is as shown in FIG. 10. Such knob 43e originally hassubstantially vertical .sides 151 with a slight bulbous projection 152around the upper end and a flat top 46e. Such a shape may be strippedfrom the mold without using a split cavity. Downward pressure is appliedto top 46e and hence a deep undercut 154a-d is formed by bulging theupper edge outwardly as shown by reference numerals 153a-153d,respectively in FIGS. 5-8. The undercut 154a-d under bulge 153a-dfacilitates lifting the cap.

The can may be lled at either end, i.e., the cap 36 and end 14 appliedeither at the can factory or the cannery. Where the can is to be filledat the top, the bottom end 15 is seamed onto the bottom of the can body11 in conventional manner at the can factory. The collar 26 is slippedonto the upper end of the can body and is held in place by friction. Atthe Cannery or other location when the can is filled, the contents ofthe can are then lled through the opening in the collar 26 and the cap36 applied, snapping into place over the bead 32. At this point,advertising circulars, premiums, directions, or small packages ofadditives may be placed on top of the closure cap. Cap 36 prevents suchmaterials from coming into contact with the contents of the can prior toconsumption. Thereupon the upper end 14 is seamed onto the can body byconventional machinery, the seaming of the upper end locking the collar26 permanently in place. The upper end 14 preferably fits so that one ofthe annular rings 47 of the upper end 14 fits relatively tightly againstthe horizontal flange 38 of the reclosure cap, holding it in place onthe bead 32. End 14 may also engage knob 36 to assist in preventingdisplacement of the cap during transportation.

Alternatively, collar 26 may be shipped to the cannery loose, withplastic cover 36 attached, and both assembled as one unit after theproduct has been filled in the can.

Alternatively, where the can is to be filled at the bottom, cap 36 andend 14 may be applied at the can factory. In such case, the can isfilled through the open bottom and end 15 applied by a conventionalclosing machine at the Cannery. This method of filling is preferablewhere no material is to be inserted between end 14 and cap 36.

Where the containers are displayed at point of sale, they may be stackedend to end, as best shown in FIG. 4, it being understood that the use ofdome 18 and recess 23 is not essential where cap 36 does not projectupward.

At the destination, the consumer cuts off the upper end 14 with a canopener in conventional manner (see FIG. 3), the depth of the side wall27 of collar 26 being such that the blade of the can opener does notsever the collar. Once the end 14 is removed, the advertising circularsor other material placed on top of the reclosure cap are accessible tothe consumer. Prior to this time premiums and the like in the headspaceare inaccessible and tampering therewith eliminated. When it is desiredto remove all or part of the contents of the can, the reclosure cap isremoved by lifting the knob 43 and thereby the cap flexes and snaps offbead 32. Whenever desired, and as many times as desired, the reclosurecap may be replaced.

A feature of the invention is a construction which permits cutting ofend 14 without the possibility that end 14 will drop into the containeror have to be pried out of the container. For `such purpose, the heightof knob 43 is greater than the area it displaces in the sealedcontainer, or, in other words, the knob 43 is compressed. Thus it exertsan upward pressure to lift end 14 when it is severed. Further, theelevation of bead 32 and the thickness of flange 38 are such that whenthe end 14 is applied the collar 26 flexes inwardly slightly because ofspace requirements. Again, when pressure is relaxed by cutting end 14the end is lifted. Radius 171 and bead 172 also cooperate to accomplishthe same result, as heretofore set forth.

It will be understood that although the construction of the can hereinillustrated is of the sanitary or hermetically-sealed type, the presentinvention may also be used in connection with other styles of cans, suchas a paint can sealed at the upper end with a friction plug.

It will also be understood that in place of the simple reclosure capherein illustrated and described, other caps, such as those havingpouring spouts, dredges, or means for 6 measuring the volume of productdispensed, may be substituted. Other devices for proportionately addingvarious additives such as catalysts, activators for paints and the like,may be attached to add material to the contents being dispensed.

It will further be understood that -means for mixing, stirring orotherwise mechanically manipulating the product may be incorporated inthe cap 36.

A pressed libre material may be inserted in the hollow of knob 43 andwhen such material is saturated with water it tends to keep the contentsof the container moist. This form of the invention is particularlydesirable for products such as tobacco, keeping the tobacco in conditionfor slow and cool burning. A dehumidifying agent may likewise beinserted to keep powdered products dry and prevent caking.

In the modification of the invention shown in FIG. 5, the can body isformed with an inwardly extending bead 61. Ring 62 differs from ring 26of the preceding modification, in that it is not seamed between the endand body flange. On the contrary, ring 62 has a cylindrical wall 63which nests between bead 61 and the upper end of 14a, the upper edge ofthe ring 62 seating between radius 17a of end 14a and the upper end ofthe can body 11a. At the lower end of cylindrical wall 63 is a curvedportion 64 which ts against bead 61 (which serves as a stop) andinwardly of curved portion 64 is an upwardly slanted breast 66 whichterminates in an upwardly extending neck 67. The inner edge of the ring62 is turned inwardly in a hem 68 so that the raw edge of the ring isnot exposed.

In the form of the reclosure cap 36a of FIG. 5, the side wall 71 of thecap has a diameter slightly less than the inside diameter of neck 67 andhas a peripheral outwardly curved portion 72 fitting over the -hem 68and terminating in a short downwardly extending skirt 73 which fits overthe outside of the hem 68. At intervals, around the circumference of thegroove 74 between side wall and skirt is a plurality of nibs 76, therebeing approximately five in number. Nibs 76 on the contact surfaces makeremoval and reclosure of the plastic cap 36a easier. Further, where thecontainer is to be evacuated (as in packing coffee) the nibs 76 serve asvents so that air may be evacuated from the headspace between the cap36a and the top end 14a. Further, the nibs 76 may extend on all surfacesof groove 7-4, where said surfaces contact neck 67 and hem 68 tofacilitate evacuation of the headspace. Below the IWall 71 is ahorizontally direct flange 77 and at the juncture of wall 71 and flange77 are outwardly directed second nibs 78 which fit under breast portion66 and hold the cap in place. Since the nibs 78 are deformable, the capmay be removed and replaced.

The lift knob 43a of the cap shown in FIG. 5 is somewhat difierent inconstruction and in its manner of prodution from that shown in FIGS. 1to 4, inclusive. The form of reclosure cap 36 shown in FIGS. 1 to 4requires the use of a split cavity mold. To eliminate use of such amold, the lift knob 43a may be formed with a substantially verticalslide 151 which, in the initial condition of manufacture 43e as shown inFIG. 10 is only slightly outwardly curved in a bulb 152 at its upper endand terminates in a substantially horizontal top 46e. The curvature ofthe bead 152 at the top is sufficiently small so that the cap 43e may bestripped from a convention mold without difficulty and without the costof construction of a split mold. After the cap is formed in the initialcondition shown in FIG. 9, downward pressure on the top of the lift knobcauses it to deform outwardly to the position shown in FIG. 5.

In other respects the details of construction and the nesting of thebottom of one can over the top of the lower can in FIG. 5 is similar tothat shown in the preceding modification. Accordingly, similar referencenumerals followed by the subscript a are used to designate correspondingparts.

In the modification shown in FIG. 6, a ring 62b similar f to that usedin FIG. 5 is used. However, a curl 81 is formed on the upper end of neck67b rather than hem 68 of FIG. 5. Reclosure cap 36h is likewisegenerally similar in construction, except that it is so seated on curl81 as to permit ready evacuation of the headspace between ring 6212 andupper end 14b. Thus the side wall 71b is spaced definitely inwardly fromneck 47b and the horizontal flange 72b is of extended length soy thatthe vertical skirt 73b is spaced from the curl 81. Nibs 76h are formedin the bottom of groove 74b to separate the walls of groove 7-4b fromcurl 81 and permit ready passage of air between the headspace and thecan body. In other respects, the modification of FIG. 6 is similar toFIG. and corresponding reference numbers followed by the subscript b areused to designate corresponding parts.

ln the modification as shown in FIG. 7, the yring may be formed ofplastic rather than metal. The outer wall 63C, radius portion 64C andslanted breast portion 66C are similar to the corresponding portions ofthe ring of FIG. 5. However, the neck terminates in an inwardly directedledge 86 which, by reason of the fact that the ring 62C is formed ofplastic, need not be beaded, curled or hemmed.

The form of reclosure cap 36C used in the modification of FIG. 7,differs somewhat from that of preceding modifications. The lift knob 43Cis essentially similar to that shown in F-IG. 5. At the bottom of thevertical wall 151e of the knob the cap slants in a stretch 41Cupwardly-outwardly at an angle of about with respect to the horizontalfor about two-thirds of the distance between the axis of the can and theinner edge of ring 66C. Thereupon the cap slants in a stretch 42Cdownwardly at an angle of about 30 for a short distance and thenupwardly in a stretch 87 at an angle of about 30. The foregoingconfiguration of the cap gives it sufficient flexibility and yetrigidity to seat and unseat with a firm fit. The cap terminates in anupwardly extending side wall 88 which ts against the inner edge of ledge86 and thence terminates in an outwardly directed terminus 89 whichrests upon an inwardly directed ledge 86. A plurality of nibs 91, therebeing preferably five in number, are formed on wall 88 to seat underledge 86 and detachably hold the cap in place. In the modification shownin FIG. 8, the can body is formed with an inwardly directed bead 101 andan outwardly directed bead 102 immediately thereabove. The ring 62d is,in this form of the invention, preferably formed of coil stock, the endsof the ring being stapled, locked, seamed or butt welded together (notshown). The side wall 103 of the ring extends downwardly and adjacentits lower end is formed with an outwardly slanted portion 104 to lieagainst the outward bead 102 and then terminates in a short inwardlyslanted portion 106, so that the ring is locked in the outwardlydirected bead 102. Above side wall 103 the ring slants upwardly-inwardlyin breast 66d and terminates in bead 81d. The reclosure cap 36d in themodification of FIG. 8 may be similar to cap 3612 shown in FIG. 6.

In the modification of FIGS. 5 to 8, inclusive, parts correspondingsubstantially to previously described parts of other modifications aredesignated by similar reference numerals followed by the sufiix a to d,inclusive.

What is claimed is:

1. In a container construction, a cylindrical body; an end, said endbeing attached to said body and removable from said body at the point ofconsumption of said container; a collar, said collar having acylindrical wall tting inside the top end of said body and having adepth such that a can opening instrument may traverse and cut said endwithout injury to said collar, means forming a peripheral seam betweenthe end and said cylindrical body permanently securing said body andsaid end, a breast slanting upwardly-inwardly from the lower edge lofsaid cylindrical wall, an annular, upwardly projecting neck on the upperend of said breast having an opemng sufficient to provide access to theinterior of said body, and an outwardly turned terminal bead on theupper end of said neck; and a unitary flexible reclosure cap fitting onsaid collar under said end, said cap having a peripheral short,cylindrical, downwardly-extending flange sealing against the outside ofsaid bead, a narrow annular horizontal flange extending inward from theupper end of said downwardly-extending fiange and sealing against thetop of said bead, a cylindrical side wall extending downwardly from theinner edge of said horizontal iiange and sealing against the inside ofsaid neck, an upwardlyinwardly slanted surface extending from the loweredge of said side wall, an annular depression in said slanted surfaceand an upwardly projecting lift knob disposed centrally of saiddepression, the top of said knob being higher than the top edge of saidbody; said end being formed to bear against the top of said knob andagainst said horizontal flange of said cap.

2. A construction according to claim 1, in which said end is formed withan upwardly projecting dome centrally of said end having an elevationhigher than the top edge of said body, there being an annular space ofconsiderable depth between said end and cap outside said lift knob.

3. A construction according to claim 2, which further comprises a secondend secured to said cylindrical body at the end opposite saidfirst-mentioned end, said second end being formed with a central recesssubstantially complementary to said dome, whereby when containers arestacked end to end the top end of one container nests inside the bottomend of a superimposed container.

4. In a container construction, a body; an end; means for securing saidend to said body; a collar on the upper end of said body, said collarhaving a wall fitting inside said body, a breast slantingupwardly-inwardly from the lower edge of said wall, a neck on saidbreast having an opening sufficient to provide access to the interior ofsaid body; and a unitary, flexible reclosure cap fitting on said neckand resiliently biased into engagement therewith, said cap having anupwardly projecting lift knob downwardly compressed and bearing againstthe underside of said end in the assembled position of said containerconstruction and lifting upward when said end is severed by aconventional can opener, the top of said knob being higher than theplane of the upper edge of said collar before being downwardlycompressed.

5. A construction according to claim 4, in which the top of said knob isinitially higher than the top of said body and in which said cap furtherbears against said end in an annular zone between the center andperiphery of said end, forming thereby an oil tight seal.

6. A construction according to claim 5, in which said end has an upwardprojecting dome against which said knob bears.

7. A construction according to claim 4 in which said collar and saidbody are flanged and said collar is seamed between said body and saidend.

S. A construction according to claim 5 in which said body is formed witha body bead spaced downwardly from said end and in which said collar hasa cylindrical wall stopped from downward movement by said body bead andhaving its upper edge restrained by said end.

9. In a container construction, a body, an end secured to said body, acollar adjacent one end of said body, cooperating means on said collarand body to secure said collar in position in said body, said collarbeing formed with a neck, and a unitary, fiexible reclosure cap, saidneck and cap having cooperating means for detachable snap engagement ofsaid cap on said collar, said. cap having an upward projecting liftknob, said cap having a peripheral short, cylindrical skirt engaging theoutside of said neck, a narrow annular horizontal flange inward of saidskirt resting upon the top of said neck, and a cylindrical side wallextending downwardly from the inner edge of said horizontal flange andfitting against the inside of said neck.

10. A construction according to claim 9, wherein said cooperating meansinclude a plurality of nibs to maintain communication between theportion of said body below said cap and the portion of said body abovesaid cap, whereby upon evacuation of one of said portions the other saidportion is evacuated.

11. A construction according to claim 9 in which said cap is providedwith deformable nibs fitting under said neck to detachably hold cap onsaid body.

12. A construction according to claim 9 in which first nibs are formedon the underside of said horizontal flange and `second nibs are formedprojecting out from said side wall and engaging under said neck todetachably hold said cap on said collar.

13. A construction according to claim 12 in which said skirt isdisplaced outwardly from said neck.

14. A reclosure cap formed of a unitary flexible plastic materialcomprising a peripheral short cylindrical skirt, a narrow-horizontalflange extending inward from the upper end of said skirt, a cylindricalside wall extending downwardly from the inner edge of said horizont-alflange, an upwardly slanted conical portion extending from the loweredge of said side wall, an annular depression in said conical portionand a lift knob disposed centrally of said depression.

15. In a container construction, a body; an end; means for securing saidend to said body; a collar on the upper end of said body, said collarhaving a wall fitting inside said body, a breast slant'ingupwardly-inwardly from the lower edge of said wall and terminating in anopening sufficient to provide access to the interior of said body; and aunitary, flexible reclosure cap over said opening, sa-id cap having anupwardly projecting lift knob downwardly compressed and bearing againstthe underside of said end in the yassembled position of said containerconstruction and lifting upward when said end is severed by aconventional can opener.

16. A can comprising a body terminated by closure means comprising anouter member holding in place an inner closure member which comprises aring secured against longitudinal sliding movement within the body and aremovable and replaceable cover closing the ring opening, the outermember being mechanically locked around its periphery to the can bodyand adapted to be mechanically severed to separate it from the can bodyand being in pressure engagement with the inner closure member, at leastone of said members being deformed by said pressure in an amount suchthat when the outer member is severed from the body and the pressurebetween the members is released the restoration of the deformation ofthe deformed member under its natural resiliency is sufficient to raisethe severed edge of the outer member out of engagement 'with the portionof the can from which it was severed.

17. A structure such as defined in claim 16 wherein the outer member issecured to the body by a double peripheral seam and wherein the elasticrestoration resulting from the release of the pressure engagement of themembers with one another is in excess of the height of the seam.

18. A structure such as defined in claim 16 wherein the outer member isa frangible disk hermetically sealed with the can body along theperiphery of the disk.

19. A can comprising a body terminated by closure means comprising anouter closure and an inner closure at least one of which forms ahermetic seal for the terminated end of the body, the inner closurecomprising a ring secured against longitudinal sliding movement withinthe body and a removable and replaceable cover closing the ring opening,a portion of the outer closure that is spaced radially inwardly of thebody making pressure engagement with the inner closure, at least one ofsaid closures being deformed an amount such that when the outer closureis severed from the body and the pressure between the inner and outerclosures is released 10 the restoration of the deformation of thedeformed closure under its natural resiliency is sufficient to raise thesevered edge of the outer closure out of engagement with the portion ofthe can from which it was severed.

20. A can comprising a body terminated by closure means comprising anouter closure and an inner closure, the inner closure comprising a ringsecured against longitudinal sliding movement within the body and aremovable and replaceable cover closing the ring opening, the outerclosure making a hermetic seal with the body and at a portion thereofthat is spaced radially inwardly of the body making pressure engagementwith the inner closure, at least one of said closures being deformed bysaid pressure, an amount such that when the outer closure is severedfrom the body and the pressure between the inner and outer closures isreleased the restoration of the deformed closure under its naturalresiliency is sufiicient to raise the severed edge of the outer closureout of engagement with the portion of the can from which it rwassevered.

21. In a container construction, a body, an end secured to said body, acollar adjacent one end of said body, cooperating means on said collarand body to secure said collar in position in said body, said collarbeing formed with a neck, and a unitary, fiexible reclosure cap, saidneck and cap having second cooperating means for detachable snapengagement of said cap on said collar, said cap having an upwardprojecting lift knob and in the assembled position the cap beingcompressed under said end whereby, on cutting of said end, said end islifted upwardly by said cap.

22. An integral one piece sheet formed thin walled plastic article ofmanufacture having a first portion at least a part of which is disposedin a first plane, a second portion integrally joined to said firstportion and at least a part of said second portion being disposed in asecond plane substantially parallel to and axially offset from said partof first portion, an integral hollow third portion joining said firstand second portions and extending between first and second said planes,the juncture between said third portion and said second portion being`characterized as being peripherally continuous and defining arelatively sharp angle whereby said second portion has an extenttransverse to a common axis of said first, second and third portionsgreater than at least a portion of said third portion and an undercutsurface is provided.

23. A one piece plastic. lid member for a container having integralhollow knob means projecting from the plane of the cover portionadjacent thereto, said knob means being characterized as having aperipherally continuous head portion and a hollow peripherallycontinuous stem portion, said head portion being in spaced relation tosaid cover portion and connected thereto by said stem portion, said headportion having a dimension, as measured transversely to the common axisof said head and stem portions, greater than said stem portion adjacentsaid head portion, the area of juncture of said head and stem portionsdefining an undercut surface to afford facile engagement with said knobmeans.

24. The lid member set forth in claim 23 wherein said knob means issubstantially centrally located in said lid member and said lid memberand said knob means are substantially circular in configuration.

25. A lid member as set forth in claim 23 in lwhich said undercutsurface extends radially inwardly toward said stem with a substantialcomponent of extension away from said head.

26. A lid member as set forth in claim 23 in which said area of junctureforms a relatively sharp angle.

27. A lid member as set forth in claim 23 in which said stern portionhas an axial taper.

28. A lid member as set forth in claim 23 in which said stern portionadjacent to said head portion tapers toward said cover portion.

29. A lid member as set forth in claim 23 in which said cover portionhas peripheral means for detachable engagement kwith a container.

30. A lid member as set forth in claim 23 in which said cover member hasa generally conical portion radially outwardly of said knob means.

31. In a reclosure can construction, a body, an end seamed to said body,said can end having means below the top of the seam for defining an areaof lcut for a can opener, a collar having an annular wall the outersurface of which ts snugly in the body at the upper end thereof, theuppermost part of said annular wall of the collar bearing against thecan end at the seam, said annular wall of the collar terminating belowthe top of the seam and above the dening area of cut of the can end,said collar having an enlarged opening for access to the interior ofsaid can, a resilient `cap for said opening, the cap being supported atits periphery by the collar, and cooperating means on said collar andcap for detachably retaining said cap on said collar; said cap beingformed with a lift Iknob and said cap immediately surrounding said knobbeing formed with an annular section yieldable so that said knob isdownwardly compressible, and when said end is in place said enddisplacing said knob below its normal level -with respect to the part ofthe cap that is supported by said collar so that when said end issevered said knob rises above the level at which it was held by saidend, for convenient access to said knob to facilitate manual removal ofsaid cap from said collar.

32. A can construction according to claim 31 in which said knob bearsagainst the underside of said end and said means includes an annularportion of said cap being against the underside of said end.

33. An integral one piece sheet formed thin-Walled plastic article ofmanufacture having a rst portion, a second portion integrally joined tosaid first portion and disposed axially offset from said first portion,an integral hollow third portion joining said lrst and second portionsand extending between first and second portions, means forming ajuncture between said third portion and said second portion, said meansbeing characterized as being peripherally continuous and with twostretches of the plastic sheet defining a relatively sharp angle, one ofsaid stretches being a peripheral continuation of said second portion,whereby said peripheral `continuation has an eX- tent transverse to acommon axis of said first, second and third portions greater than atleast a portion of said third portion and an undercut surface isprovided.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,396,065 11/ 1921 Schrader220-42 1,695,286 12/1928 Johnson 220-27 1,856,941 5/ 1932 Anderson220-42 2,104,540 1/1938 Hoffman 220-68 2,575,770 11/1951 Roop 220-972,833,452 5/ 1958 Drummond 220-97 2,523,285 9/1950 Erb 220-42 2,773,62212/1956 Augensen 220-29 2,833,324 5/1958 Burroughs 150-.5

FOREIGN PATENTS 725,882 3/1955 Great Britain.

GEORGE E, LOVRANCE, Primary Examiner.

U.S. Cl. XR.

1. IN A CONTAINER CONSTRUCTION, A CYLINDRICAL BODY; AN END, SAID ENDBEING ATTACHED TO SAID BODY AND REMOVABLE FROM SAID BODY AT THE POINT OFCONSUMPTION OF SAID CONTAINER; A COLLAR, SAID COLLAR HAVING ACYLINDRICAL WALL FITTING INSIDE THE TOP END OF SAID BODY AND HAVING ADEPTH SUCH THAT A CAN OPENING INSTRUMENT MAY TRAVERSE AND CUT SAID ENDWITHOUT INJURY TO SAID COLLAR, MEANS FORMING A PERIPHERAL SEAM BETWEENTHE END AND SAID CYLINDRICAL BODY PERMANENTLY SECURING SAID BODY ANDSAID END, A BREAST SLANTING UPWARDLY-INWARDLY FROM THE LOWER EDGE OFSAID CYLINDRICAL WALL, AN ANNULAR, UPWARDLY PROJECTING NECK ON THE UPPEREND OF SAID BREAST HAVING AN OPENING SUFFICIENT TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO THEINTERIOR OF SAID BODY, AND AN OUTWARDLY TURNED TERMINAL BEAD ON THEUPPER END OF SAID NECK; AND A UNITARY FLEXIBLE RECLOSURE CAP FITTING ONSAID COLLAR UNDER SAID END, SAID CAP HAVING A PERIPHERAL SHORT,CYLINDRICAL, DOWNWARDLY-EXTENDING FLANGE SEALING AGAINST THE OUTSIDE OFSAID BEAD, A NARROW ANNULAR HORIZONTAL FLANGE EXTENDING INWARD FROM THEUPPER END OF SAID DOWNWARDLY-EXTENDING FLANGE AND SEALING AGAINST THETOP OF SAID BEAD, A CYLINDRICAL SIDE WALL EXTENDING DOWNWARDLY FROM THEINNER EDGE OF SAID HORIZONTAL FLANGE AND SEALING AGAINST THE INSIDE OFSAID NECK, AN UPWARDLYINWARDLY SLANTED SURFACE EXTENDING FROM THE LOWEREDGE OF SAID SIDE WALL, AN ANNULAR DEPRESSION IN SAID SLANTED SURFACEAND AN UPWARDLY PROJECTING LIFT KNOB DISPOSED CENTRALLY OF SAIDDEPRESSION, THE TOP OF SAID KNOB BEING HIGHER THAN THE TOP EDGE OF SAIDBODY; SAID END BEING FORMED TO BEAR AGAINST THE TOP OF SAID KNOB ANDAGAINST SAID HORIZONTAL FLANGE OF SAID CAP.